Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 carrots, peeled and grated
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
• 2 1/2 cups milk, divided
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 8-oz. pkg. pasteurized process cheese spread, cubed
• Optional:
• 1/4 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Garnishes:
• 1/2 pound bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled